mcdonald



F. J, McDONALD.

EDGE TURNING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR 7. 1918 1,398,786. Patented Nov. 29, 1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1- INVENTOR. Imam UNITED STATES'PATENT OFFICE.

FRANK J'. MCDONALD, OF AKRON, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE FIRESTONE TIRE & RUBBER EDGE-TURNING MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 29, 1921 Application filed March 7, 1918. Serial No. 220,929.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK J. MCDONALD, a citizen of the United States, residin in the city of Akron, county of Summit, tate of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful improvements in Edge-Turning Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to machines designed to turn edges of fabric, rubber, or the like over pieces of stock to which they are applied. It is especially designed to be used in the manufacture of rubber boots or shoes in which pieces of fabric of odd and irregular shapes are covered on one side with a layer of gum which overlaps the edges of the fabric. Before being incorporated in the shoe the overlappingedge of the gum brought around the edge of the stock and folded on to the reverse side. This operation was formerly done by hand but my machine designed to replace hand. labor for this purpose and do the Work expeditiously and more perfectly than is possible in the hand operation.

it is also a purpose of my invention to design a machine which will automatically follow the edge of any piece of fabric no matter how irregular in shape, the edge rolling instrumentality being so constructed that the stock will be constantly drawn against a central post and at the same time the stock its edge always in contact while advancing into the path of the rolling instrumentality.

In this machine the edge of the stock bears against a central post or edge guide and moves around this post with its edge in contact and advancing nearly automatically, requiring but a slight guiding on the part of the operator to put it inposition.

.l t is further object of this invention to devise a machine which will be readily adaptable to take care of fabric or foundation stock rubber .ing or covering of varying degrees of tachiness and pliability. Another purpose is to construct a work table on which stock of this or similar nature may be freely and easily moved about.

This machine is not limited for use in covering fabric with rubber but may be used for other materials with slight modifications. Changes and modifications may be made without departing from the essentials of will be fed around the post with' of varying thickness and also of' this invention or sacrificing any of its benefits.

In the drawings accompanying this specification is shown one form of the machine. In these drawings- Figure l is an elevation of the machine, the upper part being in section.

2 is a vertical enlarged sectional view of the head.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of Fig. 2 part being in section of line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

The machine is mounted directly on a motor 1 the armature shaft 2 of which is vertical and drives the head of the machine through a friction clutch indicated generally by the numeral 3 in Fig. 1. Tl e drive from the motor to the main shaft 4 may be through any preferred type of friction drive the purpose being to afford a connection which will give suliiciently to allow the head to stop in case wrinkles should occur in the fabric, thereby preventing breakage of the machine or irreparable wrinkling of the stock.

The preferred form of. drive is shown in Figs. 1 and 5. On the upper end of the armature shaft is secured a collar 5 above which is mounted a two-part disk 6.6 adapted to be held together with any desired pressure by screws 7. A friction collar 8, preferably of wood fiber, but of any suitable material, is held between the parts 6-6 and may be forced against the armature shaft to any desired degree to give the desired frictional drive. l rom the two-part collar 6.6 extend two pins 9 which are received in holes 10 in a disk 11 which is secured by set screw 12 to the lower end of the shaft 4. The two parts 3 and it constitute a friction coimling' as will be understood.

The shaft 4 revolves in a sleeve 13 which is screw threaded on the platform 14 sup ported on the motor casing by posts 14. On the lower end of the sleeve 13 is formed an arm 15in the outer end of which is secured a barrel l6 slidingly mounted in which is a spring helo detent pin 17 the upper end being arranged to enter any one of a circular series of holes 20 and the under side of the platform 14. By means of the detent 17 the sleeve 13 may be given any vertical iOO adjustment required to accommodate vary ing thicknesses of stock as will presently appear.

Formed midway of the shaft 4 is the head 21 the under side of which rests on the top of the sleeve 13 and supports the shaft. The upper side of the head is formed with slanting surfaces 22, at right angles to which are formed bores 23. As will be seen by reference to Fig. 3 these bores are offset to the axis of the shaft for a purpose which will appear. On the surfaces 22' are arranged two frusto-conical disks or stitcher rolls 24 arranged with their smaller faces adapted to contact with the inclined surfaces of the head. From the central portion of the stitchers extend hollow pins 25 which are received in the bores 23. In each hollow pin is received a light coil spring 26 on the upper end of'which is seated a ball 27. Through the center of each stitcher roller is passed a pin 28 which extends into the hollow pin 25, a flat cup shaped portion being formed on the upper end thereof.

From the description which has been given it will be seen that the disks or stitchcr rollers will bear against the inclined surfaceson the head in proportion to the pres sure applied to the spring 26. Now if the stitcher is raised slightly against the force of the sprin 26 it is free to revolve in the bore 23. My device is so constructed that as the stitcher passes up on to the fabric during the rotation of the sh aft 4 it will be lifted slightly along the line of its axis and removed from contact with the inclined surface of the head whereupon it may revolve freely. As soon, however, as it passes off the surface on which it is operating its rotation will be instantly stopped by contact with the surface of the head. This construction has been perfected by me for the purpose of preventing the roller from spin- .ning as it would do if free to revolve all the time, which action would tangle up the gum as soon as it approached and prevent the objects for which the machine was designed.

In order to adjust the tension of the spring 26 to permit the machine to operate on gum of differing degrees of pliability and freshness, there is provided means which bear on the upper end of the stitcher pins. The means referred to consists of a sleeve 29 from the lower end of which extend fingers 30 which project over the upper endsof the pins 28, which may be cupped shown for the purpose of receiving a little oil or other lubricant. The upper end of the shaft 4 is formed with a screw threaded portion on which is received a regulating nut 31 the lower end of which contacts the upper end of the sleeve 29.

In the table 14 is formed a circular groove 32 adapted to receive a series of balls 33 in which rests a ring shaped guide or post 34 the upper inside edge of which is formed with a flange 35 surrounding the orbit of the head 21. On the upper surface of the ring and adjacent the flange is placed an annular zinc washer or wearing surface 36. I have found a zinc surface does not have the affinity for the rubber or rubberized fabric possessed by steel and the rubber or rubber ized fabric passes easily over the zinc covered surface. Around the ring or central post 34 is placed a work table 37 in the upper surface of which are provided a series of sockets 38 in which are seated balls 39, the upper edges of the sockets being peened over the balls to retain them in the. sockets.

The machine operates as follows:

The operator takes a piece of the stock such as fragmen'tarily shown in Figs. 2 and 3 at 40, which is provided with a coating of rubber 41 which. projects over the edge of the fabric. It will be understood that it is the purpose of the machine to turn the overlapping portion of the rubber over the fabric. Having first turned over the rubber at one point the operator places this point on the ring 34 in the tracks of the rapidly revolving rollers 24. As the shaft t and head 21 revolve the rollers strike the overlapping rubber and fold it over the edge of the fabric and as the rollers pass up on to the fabric the rear surfaces raise up slightly from the inclined faces of the-hea'd and revolve, rolling the gum in place. When the stitcher rollers pass off the fabric rotation is stopped by contact with head.

The purpose of locating the bearings of the stitching rollers off-set from the axis of the head will now be apparent, for, as the head revolves rapidly in the direction of the arrow in Fig. 3 the tendency of the roller is to pull the edge of the fabric against the center ring or post and at the same time to advance the fabric in the direc tion of rotation of the head. This action of the rollers serves to give the machine the seemingly uncanny function of advancing the fabric and at the same time causing it to cling closely to the central post, its action being such that whether the edge is straight or curved the piece will. continue to advance and cling to the central post or edge guiding member. This action is so marked that it is almost unnecessary to guide the fabric, a light pressure by the hand of the operator being sufficient to steady it and cause the edges to be neatly turned over. The ball bearing surface of the table enables the fabric to move easily which movement is facilitated by the zinc covering 36 on the ring 3%.

It is apparent that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a machine of the character described, a work table over which stock is freely movable and a single mechanism adapted to fold over an edge of the stock and simultaneously advance it.

2. In a machine of the character described, a support for the work and an edge folding member mounted to travel in an are over the edge of the work.

3. In a machine of the character described, a support for the stock and an edge folding roller mounted to move over the work in a series of arcs whereby the edge is folded over the stock and rolled into place.

4. In a machine of the character described, a support for the work, a rotary head, and a roller on said head adapted to roll over the edge of the work in an arc.

5. In a machine of the character described, a support for the work, a rotary head, a roller on said head adapted to roll over the edge of the work in an arc, and a central post against which the edge of the work contacts.

6. In a machine of the character described, a support for the stock, an edge folding roller mounted to move over the Work in a series of arcs whereby the edge is folded over the stock and rolled into place, and a post against which the edge of the work contacts.

7. In a machine of the character described, a support for the stock, a shaft, a roller car ried by the shaft so that the edge of said roller will move over the stock in an arc, and an edge contacting member located within the are described by the roller.

8. In a machine of the character described, a support for the stock, a shaft, an edge folding member carried by the shaft and adapted to move over the stock in an arc and an edge contacting member located within the are described by said edge folding member.

9. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support on which the stock is freely movable, an edge folding member, and means to carry said member over the edge of the stock in a path adapted to advance the work.

10. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support on which the stock is freely movable, an edge folding member, an edge contacting guide and means to carry said member over the edge of the stock in a path adapted to advance the stock and maintain its edge in contact with said guide.

11. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support over which the stock is movable, a member adapted to pass over the edge of the stock and fold it. an edge guide and means to carry said folding member over the edge of the stock in a path adapted to advance the stock and maintain its edge in contact with the guide.

12. In a machine for folding the edge of stock, the combination of a support over which the stock is movable, a rotary head, and a roller carried by said head, tl e axis of the roller being at an angle to the axis of said head but non-intersecting therewith.

13. In a machine for folding the edge of stock, the combination of a support over which the stock is movable, a rotary head, a roller carried by said head, the axis of the roller being at an angle to the axis of said head but non-intersecting therewith, and an edge contacting guide.

14. In a machine for folding the edge of stock, the combination of a support over which the stock is movable, a rotary head, a roller carried by said head, the axis of the roller being at an angle to the axis of said head but passing the axis of said head in advance thereof in the direction of the rotation of the head, and an edge contacting guide located with the are described by said roller.

15. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotatable edge folding member, and means to move said member in an arc in the plane of the material.

16. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotary head, a roller on said head adapted to roll over the edge of the work in an arc, and means below said roller between which and the roller the Work is pressed.

17. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotary head, a roller carried by the head so that the edge thereof will move over the stock in an arc, an edge contacting member located within the arc described by the roller and means below said roller between which and the roller the work is pressed. I

18. In a machine of the character described. the combination of a support on which the stock is freely movable, an edge folding member, an edge guide, means to carry said member over the edge of the stock in a path adapted to advance the stock and maintain its edge in contact with said guide and a surface below said member between which said parts the work is pressed.

19. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a support on which the stock is freely movable, an edge folding member, an edge guide, means to carry said member over the edge of the stok in a path adapted to advance the stock and maintain its edge in contact with said guides, a surface below said member between which said parts the work is pressed, and adjusting mechanism for varying the distance between said parts.

20. In a machine of the kind set forth, a

rotary head and edge folding roller mounted for rotation in said head and means for permitting the roller to rotate while over the stock but to cause said roller to cease rotating on passing off of said stock.

21. In a machine of the kind set forth, a rotary head, an edge folding roller mounted for rotation in said head, means for permitting the roller to rotate while over the stock but to cause said roller to cease rotating on passing off of said stock, said means being adapted to be regulated for different conditions of stock.

22. In a machine of the kind set forth, a rotary head, an edge folding roller mounted for rotation in said head, a spring adapted to hold said roller against rotation but to permit said roller to be free to rotate while passing over the stock.

In a machine of the kind set forth, a rotary head, an edge folding roller mounted for rotation in said head, a spring adapted to hold said roller against rotation but to permit said roller to be free to rotate while passing over the stock, and means to regulate the pressure exerted by said spring.

24-. A machine for turning edges comprising a rotary head, anedge folding roller mounted for rotation in said head, the axis of said roller being at an angle to and offset from the axis of said head, an edge contacting member, and means operable to prevent the rotation of said roller except when passing over the stock.

25. A machine for turning edges comprising a rotary head, an edge folding roller mounted for rotation in said head, the axis of said roller being at an angle to and offset from the axis of said head, an edge contacting member, means operable to prevent the rotation of said roller except when pass- I ing over the stock, said means being adjustable for different conditions of stock.

In a machine of the character described, the combination of an edge folding member and a work table over which the stock is freely movable, and a series of balls in said table forming the surface on which said stock is carried.

27. In a machine of the chaacter de- 1 scribed, the combination of an edge folding the stock is freely movable, and a series of balls in said table constituting the surface on which the stock is carried.

29. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a rotary head, an edge folding member carried on said head and thereby caused to move in an are over the work, an edge contacting guide located within the are described by said member, a work table over which the stock is freely movable, and a series of balls in said table constituting the surface over which the stock may move.

30. In a machine of the'character described, the combination of a rotary head, an edge folding roller carried by said head, and thereby caused to travel in an are over the work, said roller being rotatable on its own axis in the head, means to restrain the rotation of said roller except when over the work, an edge contacting guide located in such position to the are described by the travel of said roller that the edge of the work will be held against said guide, a work table over which the stock is freely movable, and a series of balls in said table constitutingthe surface over which the stock may move.

31. A machine for operating upon sheeted stock, con'iprising a member adapted to contact the edge of the stock, and a roller mov- V able in an are about the edge contacting member.

32. A maclnne for operating upon sheeted stock, comprising a support on which the stock is freely movable, an edge guide, a roller, and means to carry SZLlCll'OllGI over the edge of the stock in a path adapted to advance the stock and maintain its edge in contact with said guide.

33. A machine for operating upon sheeted stock, comprising a rotary head, a stock contacting roller mounted for rotation in said head, the axis of the roller being at an angle to and off-set from the axis of the head, and a guide adapted to contact the edge of the stock.

84. In a machine for operating upon sheet material, a support for the material, rotary head, and a roller carried by said head, the periphery of the roller contacting the material, and the axis of the roller now intersecting with the axis of the head.

35. In a machine for operating upon sheet material, a support for the material, a rotary head, and a roller carried by said head, the periphery of the roller contacting the material, and the axis of the roller being at an angle to, but non-intersecting the axis of the head.

FRANK J. MoDONALD. 

